re: Missing 18 year old's body found on Horn Island - and ridiculous reactions.

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If you ever have to talk to the police in a situation like this, or really any situation, you should have a lawyer present.

The notion that retaining legal counsel makes a person appear more guilty is retarded and makes you sound like someone who would defend police tactics to force a confession even when innocent.

ALWAYS retain counsel.

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That's fair. Truth be told, I've always been of the mindset that if you have to retain counsel in a situation where you are 100% in the clear from any and everything. Then there's a good possibility you are hiding something. Ie You may not be guilty of the actual crime, but you may have known something/saw something along the way. But then again, I could very well be wrong in that assumption. I've never been in a case where I've had to talk to police, etc.

So, question: do investigators and prosecutors look at it suspiciously at all when witnesses hire an attorney before speaking with police? Or is that seen neutrally, legally speaking?

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But then again, I could very well be wrong in that assumption.

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You are. And that's ok. Now you know. If you have to deal with LE, even if you are completely innocent of anything and everything, get a lawyer. That isn't an opinion.

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So, question: do investigators and prosecutors look at it suspiciously at all when witnesses hire an attorney before speaking with police? Or is that seen neutrally, legally speaking?

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They might(probably will) try and use it against you, but they absolutely know that the intelligent thing to do is to retain counsel. Of course they won't like it, it takes power away from them, but that isn't your problem.

Yea you have the wrong mindset, but from your earlier comments you seem to have lived a somewhat sheltered life, no offense intended. Doesn't matter how it's seen, lawyer up and protect yourself.

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That's fair. Truth be told, I've always been of the mindset that if you have to retain counsel in a situation where you are 100% in the clear from any and everything. Then there's a good possibility you are hiding something. Ie You may not be guilty of the actual crime, but you may have known something/saw something along the way. But then again, I could very well be wrong in that assumption. I've never been in a case where I've had to talk to police, etc.

So, question: do investigators and prosecutors look at it suspiciously at all when witnesses hire an attorney before speaking with police? Or is that seen neutrally, legally speaking?

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you definitely are very ignorant of real life.

Go watch the movie about that guy who the FBI thought was the Unabomber

Open your damn eyes to the real world

Would be weird if a culture that is so distrustful of the police / system that choose to not take advantage of the rights that are given to them by our legal system

chiefly they can't not be questioned without an attorney unless you waive that right

If you think the system is out to get you stop talking to the system without your rights fully engaged

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Absolutely. They are being blamed as white kids killing a black kid. Lawyer up asap. In fact, I might file my own suit against those parents and grifters.

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They leave no choice; you have to file immediately.

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That's fair. Truth be told, I've always been of the mindset that if you have to retain counsel in a situation where you are 100% in the clear from any and everything. Then there's a good possibility you are hiding something. Ie You may not be guilty of the actual crime, but you may have known something/saw something along the way. But then again, I could very well be wrong in that assumption. I've never been in a case where I've had to talk to police, etc.

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Police interrogators are not your friends, even if you did nothing wrong. Its their job to get someone to admit to something incriminating or get a confession. They aren't getting that info by being nice to you and asking softball questions. Being questioned, even if you're innocent, can still be intimidating...especially for someone who's young and/or never been in trouble before. They're not joking when they say "anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law" so you should always exercise your right to an attorney.

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Well, the black kid in the video didn't remotely resemble Wells

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You should post that and say "but I guess they all look the same to you". Or if there's nothing in your profile indicating your race, say we instead of they.

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But then again I've seen some suggest that they hired lawyers immediately,

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If you are able, you should always hire a lawyer when dealing with law enforcement.

It is a fool’s game to assume guilt or innocence based on the hiring of an attorney.

If those were my kids, they would’ve been lawyered up immediately.

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Plus, it looks like most were drinking from the pictures. At the very least they could be facing some questions on operating the boat under the influence.

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Probably have to worry about civil lawsuit for wrongful death too against whoever provided the alcohol that day. Especially if the autopsy and toxicology report indicate that alcohol may have been a contributing factor in his drowning or whatever else happened.